Tesla Model S

September 24, 2012 9:48 PM

Photo: Erik Verduzco, Special To The Chronicle

Image 1of/10

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 10

A Tesla Model S car is showcased at the factory in Fremont, Calif., during an event to celebrate the release of the new car Friday, June 22, 2012. It is only the second car ever produced by Tesla, and first to be built at Tesla's own factory. (Special to The Chronicle) less

A Tesla Model S car is showcased at the factory in Fremont, Calif., during an event to celebrate the release of the new car Friday, June 22, 2012. It is only the second car ever produced by Tesla, and first to ... more

Photo: Erik Verduzco, Special To The Chronicle

A Tesla Model S car is showcased at the factory in Fremont, Calif.,... Photo-3504489.49628 - SFGate

Image 2 of 10

Japanese reporters satnd next to a chassis of US electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors' premium electric Model S sedan during a press preview in Tokyo on August 30, 2012. Model S is the first premium sedan designed from the ground up to take full advantage of electric vehicle architecture. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGIKAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GettyImages (AFP/Getty Images) less

Japanese reporters satnd next to a chassis of US electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors' premium electric Model S sedan during a press preview in Tokyo on August 30, 2012. Model S is the first premium sedan ... more

Photo: KAZUHIRO NOGI, AFP/Getty Images

Japanese reporters satnd next to a chassis of US electric vehicle... Photo-3504490.49628 - SFGate

Image 3 of 10

FILE - In this June 22, 2012 file photo, Tesla Motors Inc. CEO Elon Musk holds up a bottle of wine given as a gift from one of their first customers, right, during a rally at the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif. Tesla Motors Inc. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 said that its second-quarter net loss nearly doubled as it invested heavily to launch its second vehicle, the Model S. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File) (Associated Press) less

FILE - In this June 22, 2012 file photo, Tesla Motors Inc. CEO Elon Musk holds up a bottle of wine given as a gift from one of their first customers, right, during a rally at the Tesla factory in Fremont, ... more

A Tesla Model S is shown in the showroom at the Washington Square Mall, Friday, July 20, 2012, in Portland, Ore. Tesla Motors only has 24 stores in the world, and now one of them is at Washington Square Mall in Portland. The company produces electric cars and hopes their product will be a hit with eco-conscious Oregonians. The cars can go from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds, all without a drop of gasoline. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Associated Press) less

A Tesla Model S is shown in the showroom at the Washington Square Mall, Friday, July 20, 2012, in Portland, Ore. Tesla Motors only has 24 stores in the world, and now one of them is at Washington Square Mall in ... more

Photo: Rick Bowmer, Associated Press

A Tesla Model S is shown in the showroom at the Washington Square... Photo-3504492.49628 - SFGate

Image 5 of 10

The "blue" Tesla Model S sedan sits on display in the parking lot at Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

The "blue" Tesla Model S sedan sits on display in the parking lot at Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at... Photo-3504494.49628 - SFGate

Image 7 of 10

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at... Photo-3504495.49628 - SFGate

Image 8 of 10

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at the Tesla Headquarters on Friday July 13, 2012 in Palo Alto, Calif. (The Chronicle)

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

Members of the local press test drive the Tesla Model S sedan at... Photo-3504497.49628 - SFGate

Image 9 of 10

Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves during a rally at the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif., Friday, June 22, 2012. The first mass-market sedans offered by electric car maker Tesla are now on the road. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) (Associated Press) less

Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves during a rally at the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif., Friday, June 22, 2012. The first mass-market sedans offered by electric car maker Tesla are now on the road. (AP Photo/Paul ... more